DALLAS -- The Dallas Police Department will be conducting a pedestrian safety operation in the downtown Dallas business district Friday, May 16, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

DALLAS -- The Dallas Police Department will be conducting a pedestrian safety operation in the downtown Dallas business district Friday, May 16, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The purpose of the operation is to raise awareness of pedestrian safety issues and provide education and enforcement regarding Oregon's pedestrian laws.

Friday's operation will be followed by six additional operations throughout the months of June, July, August and September.

The operations will use a plain clothes officer as a decoy pedestrian. There will be observers near crosswalks, recording violations and contacting patrol officers to stop violators.

Cones will be placed at a distance of 131 feet from the crosswalk on both sides of the street. The 131 feet signifies the average stopping distance for vehicles traveling 10 mph over the posted 20 mph speed limit, with a two-second reaction time. The decoy will begin crossing the street prior to vehicles reaching the cones.

Oregon law requires drivers stop for pedestrians when pedestrians are in the lane in which the driver's vehicle is traveling, in a lane adjacent to the lane in which the driver's vehicle is traveling, in the lane into which the driver's vehicle is turning, in a lane adjacent to the lane into which the driver's vehicle is turning, or less than six feet from the lane into which the driver's vehicle is turning. Oregon law also prohibits drivers from passing another vehicle while the vehicle is stopped at a crosswalk.

Violators will be stopped and issued citations. Although the focus of the operation is on violations related to the pedestrian laws, other observed traffic violations, such as speeding or seat belt violations, will also be enforced.

Violation of Oregon's pedestrian laws is a Class B traffic violation, which carries a $242 fine.